The Storytellers by Caron McKinlay

Author:Caron McKinlay [McKinlay, Caron]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloodhound Books

I grab the beach bag and sling on my sunglasses. I can’t wait to jump in the sea and let the waves wash away the sticky sheen coating my skin. “Let’s go, then. I’m ready.”

Gio glances over, looks me up and down then shakes his head. “You crazy woman. No.”

The excitement slips from my face. What’ve I done wrong? He said we were going swimming. “What is it?”

“Your clothes, Nikki. You look puttana.”

“Puttana? What does that mean, Gio?” It isn’t a good word. He often uses it when losing at cards with his brothers. But there’s nothing wrong with me. I don’t even have any make-up on. It’s too hot for all that.

“We not wear the clothes like this here. You go change.”

“But it’s a beach, Gio. I’ve just got a top and shorts on. It’s boiling outside.”

He stands and claws his hands through his hair. “You change or we no go,” he snaps.

I bite my lip and swallow the lump in my throat.

“Siciliano wife she no dress this way. You bring the shame to my family like this.”

I throw the beach bag at him and it hits him on the head. Good. Then I run through to the bedroom and burst into tears. I hate this country and I’m sick of all the rules. The shorts aren’t even showing any arse, they’re down to the top of my knees. And my boobs are covered. Okay, maybe my cleavage is showing, but it’s forty degrees and other women walk about in bikini tops and jeans.

Gio has changed. It’s all rules, rules, rules. Back in Scotland, he didn’t care about any of this crap. I crunch my teeth together. I’m not putting the damn dress on. It has no shape. It’s too big for me and reaches my ankles. I’ll be like a bloody nun. A drab one at that. And I’ll swelter on the beach. Everyone will laugh.

A big black beastie crawls along the floor and I clamp a hand over my mouth to stifle a scream. I’m not giving Gio the satisfaction of being my hero. I jump onto the bed and pull my feet up tight to my chest and stare at it until it disappears.

The buzz of the town drifts through the window and stings the thick silence. People are having fun and I can’t even read a book or watch television. Nothing’s in English. I stifle a yawn and reach for my box of stationery.

Dear Mum,

I miss you. I miss everyone. Tell Granny and Grandad I love them. It is so hot here. Your clothes stick to you even when you have just had a shower. And you should see the size of the beasties, they are so massive. You’d hate it.

But it is really lovely at the beach. It is like something you would see in a film. Long golden sands and a turquoise sea. When you swim you can see the fishes. Can you imagine that?

I am having a good time, Giovanni is looking after me and his family are all so very nice, so you do not have to worry about me.

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